[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2540]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2007

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 6, 
the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 
2007.
  Let me congratulate Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Dingell, and the House 
Democratic leadership for bringing this legislation to the floor for a 
new direction for America's energy independence.
  Anyone who has filled up a gas tank in the past year knows that gas 
prices are highly volatile and too high for the average American. Yet 
while Americans are struggling to make ends meet, oil companies are 
making record profits. As a former North Carolina small businessman, 
and a part-time farmer, I believe that it is our duty to find 
alternatives to what has become a dangerous reliance on foreign oil.
  And let me be clear, our Nation has the capability to gain its energy 
independence. H.R. 6 will move us close to this goal by promoting the 
use of renewable fuel. This legislation will create a fund, which will 
be used to extend and expand tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel, 
extend loan guarantees to farmers to produce renewable energy, and 
increase the use of flex fuel vehicles.
  Today we have the technology to solve our energy crisis growing in 
our fields. We have the ability to turn soybeans and peanuts, both 
grown in large numbers in my home State of North Carolina, into 
biodiesel, and the technology to turn sugarcane and corn into ethanol. 
What we haven't had up to this point is the leadership to develop the 
infrastructure needed to facilitate the use of these fuels.
  The legislation before us today will begin to do just that. I 
encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 6.

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